Five Must-Ask Questions Before You Hire an Electrical Inspection Provider
Choosing the right electrical inspection provider can have a direct impact on safety, compliance, insurance acceptance, and the quality of the advice you receive. If you are comparing providers for NEN 1010, NEN 3140, SCIOS Scope 8, Scope 10, Scope 12, or NEN-IEC 62353 inspections, asking the right questions upfront can help you avoid unnecessary risk and poor-quality reporting.
A professional inspection is not just a box-ticking exercise. It should give you a clear view of the condition of your electrical installations or equipment, highlight serious findings, and provide a reliable report you can act on. In this guide, you will learn the five must-ask questions before you hire an electrical inspection provider, why they matter, and what strong answers look like.
1. Can you provide a Certificate of Conduct (VOG) for both the inspector and office staff?
This is one of the most practical questions you can ask an electrical inspection provider. The people you deal with are often given access to your business premises, technical spaces, and electrical installations. That means trust matters.
A Certificate of Conduct (VOG) is an additional security measure that helps you assess whether the people entering your site meet an important standard of reliability. It is wise to ask not only about the inspector who will visit your location, but also about the office staff you speak with during the planning and coordination process.
Why this matters
- Inspectors may need access to sensitive areas of your building
- Office staff often handle planning, documentation, and customer coordination
- Security and professionalism should be part of the service, not an afterthought
What to ask
Ask the provider:
- Can you provide a VOG for the inspector?
- Can you provide a VOG for the office staff involved in my file?
- Is this something you can share on request before the inspection starts?
Wassenaar Inspecties states that customers may ask for a Verklaring van Goed Gedrag (VOG) from both the inspector and the office staff as an additional security measure.
2. How long has your company been registered with the Chamber of Commerce?
Experience matters in electrical inspections, but so does business continuity. One useful way to assess this is to check how long the company has been registered with the Chamber of Commerce (KvK).
A provider with an established presence is often better positioned to deliver consistent service, maintain qualified staff, and support clients properly before and after the inspection. This is especially relevant when you need follow-up communication, official reporting, or a review after repairs have been completed.
Why this matters
An inspection provider should be able to do more than perform a one-time visit. In many cases, clients need:
- Pre-inspection coordination
- Clear explanation of findings
- A formal inspection report
- Follow-up after repairs
- Guidance through the inspection process
Wassenaar Inspecties advises customers to check how long the company has been registered with the Chamber of Commerce. The company also emphasizes clear communication, transparency, and guidance throughout the inspection process.
What to look for
A strong provider should be able to show signs of stability, such as:
- A clear company presence
- Structured communication
- Ongoing customer support
- Reliable follow-up after the inspection
Wassenaar Inspecties is open Monday to Friday, from 09:00-17:00, and states that it is always available to help with questions regarding its services and to guide clients through the inspection process.
3. Can you share references or examples of where you have carried out inspections?
References help you understand whether an electrical inspection provider has experience in real-world environments similar to yours. That could include commercial sites, public buildings, retail chains, offices, or other operational locations where safety, continuity, and compliance are important.
Asking for references does not mean you are being difficult. It means you are performing sensible due diligence.
Why this matters
A provider that has worked across different settings is more likely to understand:
- How to operate professionally on active sites
- How to communicate clearly with facility teams and managers
- How to identify issues without disrupting normal operations more than necessary
- How to document findings in a practical and usable way
Wassenaar Inspecties recommends that customers request references when selecting an inspection provider.
Examples of inspection experience
Wassenaar Inspecties has conducted inspections at several important locations, including:
- the Courthouse of Breda
- the municipalities of Breda, Drechstede, Dordrecht Bergen op Zoom and Steenbergen
- The Dutch Bank
The company also routinely inspects large chains such as:
- New York Pizza
- Lidl
- Eazie
- Basic Fit
- Bagels & Beans
- Cotti Coffee
- Bakker Bart
These examples show the value of asking for proven experience, especially if your own environment involves multiple locations, public-facing spaces, or business-critical electrical infrastructure.
4. Are you properly certified for the inspections I need?
Not all inspections are the same, and not all providers offer the same qualifications. Before you hire an electrical inspection provider, confirm that the company is certified for the exact inspection type you require.
This is especially important for SCIOS Scope 8, Scope 10, and Scope 12 inspections. Wassenaar Inspecties states that it is important for the inspection company to be SCIOS certified, otherwise the insurer will not accept the report.
Why this matters
Electrical inspections are often tied to safety, compliance, and insurance expectations. A provider must be qualified for the specific inspection framework involved.
Wassenaar Inspecties offers inspection services for:
- NEN 1010
- NEN 3140
- SCIOS Scope 8
- SCIOS Scope 10
- SCIOS Scope 12
- NEN-IEC 62353
The company describes itself as a certified inspection bureau and states that it works with qualified inspectors, modern equipment, and modern software.
Questions to ask your provider
Ask directly:
- Are you certified for the exact inspection I need?
- Will the report be accepted by my insurer if applicable?
- Are your inspectors specifically certified for Scope 8, 10, or 12?
- What qualifications do your inspectors hold?
Wassenaar Inspecties states that its inspectors must have:
- an MBO 4 Elektrotechniek education
- the relevant Scope 8, 10 or 12 certificate
- a thorough audit once every three years to test aptitude
That combination of education, certification, and periodic review is an important indicator of technical competence.
5. Why is your price so low — and what does the inspection actually include?
Price always matters, but with electrical inspections, the lowest offer is not always the best choice. In fact, unusually low prices should be treated with caution.
Wassenaar Inspecties is very clear on this point: cheap inspections do not exist and quality comes first. That is a useful principle for any buyer.
Why this matters
A low price can sometimes mean:
- less time spent on the inspection
- weaker reporting quality
- limited communication
- inadequate follow-up
- insufficient scope coverage
An electrical inspection should be thorough, objective, and professionally documented. If a provider cuts corners, you may end up paying more later through re-inspections, unresolved findings, or poor documentation.
What to ask
To understand value, ask:
- What is included in the inspection?
- What report will I receive afterward?
- What equipment do you use?
- What happens if serious findings are discovered?
- Is follow-up available after repairs?
Wassenaar Inspecties states that after the inspection, an official report is prepared by the inspector. In the case of a serious finding, the customer is expected to have the issues resolved by an external company and then send back the Herstelverklaring, so an inspector can assess whether the repairs were completed correctly.
What a professional inspection process should look like
Beyond the five main questions, it helps to know what a structured inspection process looks like.
Before the inspection
Wassenaar Inspecties sends the client an Inspectierapport form before work begins. This form must be completed and signed so permission is in place to work at the location and in the fusebox.
For a Scope 12 inspection, the company would also like to receive, if possible:
- legplan
- Stringplan
- Ballastplan
- Constructieberekening
During the inspection
Clients are advised:
- not to interfere with the inspector's work
- to ensure the fusebox is not blocked from entry
This helps the inspection proceed safely and efficiently.
After the inspection
After completion:
- the inspector prepares an official report
- serious findings must be resolved by an external company
- the client can return a Herstelverklaring for review of completed repairs
This kind of process shows why the provider's role extends beyond a single site visit.
Equipment is worth asking about too
A capable electrical inspection provider should use suitable equipment for the inspection type involved. Asking about instruments is a practical way to gauge professionalism.
Wassenaar Inspecties uses different equipment for different inspections:
| Inspection type | Equipment used |
|---|---|
| Scope 8 | FLUKE 1664 and MEGGER MFT-X1 |
| Scope 10 | FLUKE 1664, MEGGER MFT-X1, plus thermal imaging with a FLIR E60 camera or HIKMICRO V2 camera |
| Scope 12 | HT INSTRUMENTS PV-CHECKS and EAZYPV |
The company also states that all instruments are properly calibrated on time.
In general, the right equipment supports more reliable measurements, clearer diagnostics, and better reporting.
Practical takeaways before you choose an electrical inspection provider
If you want a quick checklist, start here.
Ask these five questions
- Can you provide a VOG for both the inspector and office staff?
- How long has your company been registered with the Chamber of Commerce?
- Can you share references or examples of past inspections?
- Are you certified for the specific inspection I need?
- What is included in your price, and why is it priced that way?
Also confirm these practical details
- Which inspection standards the provider covers
- What documents you need to submit in advance
- What access is needed on site
- What happens after serious findings
- What report you will receive
- Whether instruments are calibrated
- What the expected lead time is
Wassenaar Inspecties states that the estimated waiting time depends on the size of the installation. For installations with 1 or 2 fuseboxes, the estimated waiting time is around 3 weeks.
Why independence and communication matter
A strong electrical inspection provider should not only be technically capable, but also independent and clear in its communication.
Wassenaar Inspecties states that it works independently and focuses exclusively on inspections. The company says it has no interest in recommending unnecessary repairs or work, which supports an objective assessment. It also emphasizes honest, transparent communication and keeping clients informed throughout the process.
That combination matters because a good inspection partner should help you understand your situation, not confuse it.
Choosing with confidence
Hiring an electrical inspection provider should never be based on price alone. The better approach is to evaluate trust, certification, experience, process, and reporting quality.
When you ask the five questions in this article, you put yourself in a much stronger position to choose a provider that takes safety and quality seriously. You also make it easier to compare providers on the things that truly matter.
If you are planning a NEN 1010, NEN 3140, SCIOS Scope 8, Scope 10, Scope 12, or NEN-IEC 62353 inspection, Wassenaar Inspecties offers qualified inspectors, modern equipment and software, an independent working method, and clear support throughout the process.
For related topics, you may also want to explore the differences between NEN 1010, NEN 3140, and SCIOS Scope inspections, or learn what to prepare before a Scope 12 inspection.
Get in touch with Wassenaar Inspecties
If you want guidance on your upcoming inspection, Wassenaar Inspecties is available Monday to Friday, from 09:00-17:00 to answer questions and help you through the inspection process.
The company can be reached at:
- General email: info@wassenaarinspecties.nl
- Breda: (076) 303 63 90
- Amsterdam: (085) 489 63 40
- Bergen op Zoom: (085) 489 63 40
- Eindhoven: (085) 489 63 40
- Leeuwarden: (085) 489 63 40
- Den Haag: (085) 489 63 40
- Enschede: (085) 489 63 40
- Groningen: (085) 489 63 40
- Rotterdam: (085) 489 63 40
Whether you operate from a single site or multiple locations, asking the right questions now can help you avoid problems later. Contact Wassenaar Inspecties to discuss your inspection needs and take the next step with confidence.